Avoiding the looming Latino/Hispanic cardiovascular health crisis: a call to action.

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death among the largest and fastest growing ethnic minority in the United States, Latinos/Hispanics. To review recent findings on the prevalence of CVD, CVD risk factors, and related illnesses in the US Latino/Hispanic population, an extensive PubMed and Internet literature search for studies published from January 1995 to July 2005 was conducted, using a combination of search terms. Data validity was assessed based on the quality of the source and a consensus of the authors on perceived validity. The review found limitations in current research as well as treatment methods and options for Latino/Hispanic persons at risk for developing CVD and related illnesses. Because of these limitations and the large public health concern, additional research is required to fully determine the best predictors of CVD and diabetes in Latino/Hispanic patients. A combined effort of health-influencing and health-governing bodies is needed on all levels to address the CVD problem in the Latino/Hispanic population.